Most people know what mold looks like, we’ve seen it growing on food long expired in our fridge. However, for the average person, determining if mold is in fact Black Mold (stachybotrys chartarum) by your eyes alone is not easy. For a professional mold expert, it is easier to identify a mold as stachybotrys because of its distinguishable MOLD appearance in its mature state. A slow-growing mold, Black Mold can be thick in context and black in color. Yet, if you do not know the various types of mold, it may not necessarily look much different from other mold species, which are black in nature. The only way for us to say with certainty that a specific mold is, in fact, black mold, is for us to take a swab sample for confirmation. …
Black Mold and Insurance Claims
If you’ve ever encountered a major problem in your home, one of the first questions you’ve probably asked yourself is “does my homeowners insurance cover this?” With Black Mold, the question is even more important for you to understand a head of time. Not only does black mold cause damage and unsightly messes in the home, but it also poses health problems. Costs can get out of control when it comes to abatement, and with inadequate or no coverage, you could be on the hook. Here is what you need to know regarding black mold and insurance claims.
- As black mold becomes an increasingly common problem, it’s important that any time you take on new homeowners insurance, or switch companies that you specifically ask about coverage for mold related issues.
- Although black mold may be covered due to the event that caused it, many insurance companies set limits or exclusions in their policies. It is important to ask your agent about any limits or exclusions set forth in the policy.
- If you do not have flood insurance, mold caused due to a flood may not be covered. Again, important to read and understand your policy. You may want to have flood insurance depending on your area.
- Mold issues due to neglected maintenance on your home may not be covered! Mold caused by leaks, seepage or poor drainage will most likely not be covered which means you need to do your due diligence and make sure those problems aren’t happening on your property.
The bottom line is that you need to know what your insurance covers and what it doesn’t. You’re your insurance company today! Ask them what mold related coverage you have, what the limits are, and what any exclusions would be. You may need to add coverage such as flood insurance in order to be completely covered. Also, review our top ten list for what you can be doing to prevent mold in your home and protect yourself now!